Each Little World

Furious on the Fourth

I don't know why anyone in the U.S. expects women to celebrate the Fourth of July this year. 

Our government — via the Supreme Court — has just demonstrated that they do not consider women citizens with the full rights of men. Our independence has been dramatically curtailed and it's going to get worse. There is nothing for us to celebrate.

We need to elect more Democrats at every level of government, especially in state legislative races. This is where the biggest threats to women and democracy will be. It's clear the court wants to mess with the validity of elections. Trump came close on January 6th but that was just a preview.

If you are not already reading her daily, check out Heather Cox Richardson's "Letters from an American" for clear and insightful explanations of what is happening in American politics, along with a dose of context and history. An excellent way to be informed without going ballistic over the news. 

Opposite effects

Two orange lilies just opened across the path from each other. They could not be more different or create more opposite moods.This is an Asiatic lily, 'Forever Susan.' I personally call her 'Suddenly Susan.' When she opens, the garden is suddenly transformed. The word 'forever' makes me think of something old and delicate which 'Susan' definitely is not.

Across the path is Lilium canadense, a very delicate beauty. This one is in its first season and is not very tall. I have a small group of this lily in red, yellow and orange. Once you discover these lilies you will be hooked. 

Wordless Wednesday

IVOM

A week ago I grabbed the last of the candelabra primroses and the first Martagon lily to make a quick arrangement for the living room. Stems of Heuchera flowers and an Allium complete the group.

Allium atropurpureum is new for me this year. The flower head is not fully round but more of a bowl shape with a narrow base. The color is dark and intense. Its companion Allium still hasn't opened. 

I love matching and contrasting flower color with the little strokes of color on this vase from Madison's Studio Paran.

The 90°F. temperatures at the beginning of this last week popped all the Martagon lilies, so I had no qualms about cutting them or the Alliums from my traffic island bed. I used them to make a deck vase for the 2022 Garden Bloggers Fling visit to our garden on Saturday. It's still looking good. 

I made a quick run out to K&A Nursery to pick up a special order Hydrangea that had come in. When I went inside to pay for it, I fell prey to temptation and snagged this Begonia. 

The flowers and foliage caught my eye but the stems are the real stars of this show. Alas, no id tag. I used it to block a clump of dead tree trunks as you enter the back garden for the tour. Yes, I know. Totally obsessive behavior. 

The kids are alright

Welcome garden bloggers

to the Madison, Wisconsin

Fling!

Back soon

I've been frantically trying to cope with the weather to keep my plants alive and the garden weeded and prepped for the Garden Bloggers Fling group coming to my garden this weekend. Two days in the 90°s last week and more of the same Monday and Tuesday. I was out just after 5 am yesterday morning to weed and water while the temps were bearable. I went in by 8:30. 

Leaves on many plants are turning brown and crisp from the heat. Other plants are bursting in and out of bloom in a matter of days. Hoping my Martagon lilies last until the weekend but I have my doubts.  

I'll be back next week when the temps should be lower and I can relax and play in the garden.